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How big was Mary & Joseph's family?

According to the gospels, Jesus wasn't an only child - so how many brothers and sisters did he have?

James the brother of Jesus is named in MATTHEW 13:55 and MARK 6:3, along with three other brothers (Joseph, Simon and Judas) and at least three unnamed sisters (the most explicit reference to these sisters being found in MATTHEW 13:56, "Aren't all his sisters with us?").

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Jesus had brothers and sisters. After he was born, Mary and Joseph commenced a normal consumated sexual relationship in marriage, producing other children.

    I told a woman that once who worshipped Mary, and she nearly fainted to be told that Mary had 'ordinary' other kids.

  • 1 decade ago

    there is no specific word that the Bible tells that Mary had more children after she conceived Jesus. Most Christians think just because on Matthew 13:55-56, it says that the resident of Nazareth asked "... Is not His mother Mary? and his brothers James,Joses,Simon and Judas?" this does NOT mean that Mary had other children. Brother means friends or homeies , just like we say bro to our homeies. The residents are referring by saying brothers. The other way you know they can't be right is that they are calling Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph. when he really is ALMIGHTY GOD.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The problem with "Brother and Sister".

    That could be cousin in today English as well.

    As old language has no equivalent of cousin to refer.

    Whose know, God made Joseph a Gay, so Mother Mary still a Virgin ( so Jesus was born from Sinless mother ).

    Oh Gosh, would that be reason Jesus dislike Gay ?

  • 1 decade ago

    the blessed mother and st josephs immediate family was very small, them and jesus, extended family was likley quite large. in the spiritual sense very extensive. in the day of jesus the word brother and sister could refere to a cousin,uncle etc as they had no distinctive words for various family memebers. in the same sense that some christians refer to eachother as brother and sister despite no blood line linking them.

    for more try

    www.scripturecatholic.com

    www.catholiceducation.org

    www.newadvent.org

    www.askmeaboutgod.org

    www.ewtn.com

    www.fisheaters.com

    and a catechism, the bible and the writings of the early church fathers.

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  • 1 decade ago

    how can we know, everyone of thier time is dead and we were not there at that time.......lets wait and ask Jesus when he comes as he promised......cheers till then

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